Harriers 1
Mansfield 3

STRIKER Paul Connor came back to haunt Harriers as they were shot down by Mansfield's second half fight back.

The former Lincoln hitman, had been on trial at Aggborough in the summer before deciding to take up an offer at the Stags, capped a fine display when with the away team's second goal.

Harriers had been leading through Tom Shaw's early penalty but the inclusion of Mansfield substitute Luke Medley turned the game in their favour.

They had scored early goals in their first two league matches and they continued that trend when they opened the scoring in the eighth minute.

Striker Chris McPhee was brought down by Chris Smith's late challenge in the box, and despite the referee missing the incident, the linesman raised his flag for a penalty.

Shaw scored his second goal of the season when he sent the keeper Alan Marriott the wrong way and slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

Mansfield Adam Smith almost levelled the scores moments later, but dragged an effort from the edge of the box just wide.

Harriers continued to be the more proactive but looked vulnerable on the break.

Keeper Danny Lewis was almost caught out in the 26th minute. Louis Briscoe delivered a cross from the left and Connor's far post header cannoned off the shot-stopper's chest before he desperately grasped it.

Speedy Harriers hitman Nick Wright tried his luck from 30-yards but his effort flew high over the bar.

At the back, the home side were troubled by Connor's aerial prescence. His header forced Lewis to parry the ball and Gary Mills' header hit the bar.

Midfielder Jack Byrne then tested Stags keeper Marriott's reflexes with a fine rising shot from the edge of the box.

Lewis then kept Harriers' lead intact with a fine save on the stroke of half-time. Winger Adam Smith cut inside from the left, leaving Shaw in his wake, and curled in an effort that the keeper flung himself to his right to put it behind.

Both sides made changes at half-time. On-loan Wrexham striker Marc Williams replaced Callum Gittings for the home side, while Medley came on for Keigan Parker.

But two goals in three minutes saw the home side trailing. Medley volleyed home from 10-yards out in the 54th minute, after Louis Briscoe had headed Smith's cross into his path.

Three minutes later the home side were caught napping when the ball ricocheted off a defender and allowed the alert Connor to round sprawling keeper Lewis.

Scenting victory, Mansfield piled the pressure on the home side, with dangerman Medley running with pace at Albrighton, before cutting in from the right and dragging a low shot wide.

Marc Williams though looked the most likely to bag a Harriers leveller and he came close twice.

The hitman did well to control Matty Blair's cross but shot over the bar.

Harrier then created a fine opening when Keith Briggs played Wright down the left. The striker delivered a low cross which Williams narrowly fired wide.

But the home side's hopes of levelling the scores were dashed when substitute Rob Duffy scored in the 89th minute.

Briggs gave the ball away and dangerman Medley's low cross was converted at the far post by the sliding Duffy.

Harriers: Lewis; Hankin; Gittings (Marc Williams, 46); Briggs; McPhee (Blair, 74); Byrne; Albrighton; Wright; Shaw; Mike Williams; Briscoe.

Unused substitutes: Stevens; Sharpe; Griffiths.

Mansfield: Marriott; Silk; Mills; Foster; Stonehouse; Briscoe; Mills; Thompson; Smith; Parker (Medley, 46); Connor (Duffy, 74).

Unused substitutes: Collett; Medley; Naylor; Sandwith.

Referee: Mark Heywood (West Yorkshire). Attendance: 1,487 (295)